Mildred Wiggins

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Mildred Juanita Wiggins, 91, of Advance was born on Nov. 27, 1927, in Hutchinson, Arkansas, the daughter of Otto and Katherine Robertson. She passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in her home in the arms of her loving family.

F.E. "Bud" Wiggins and Mildred Robertson were united in marriage June 12, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Advance, where she has been a member since 1952.

Mildred graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in physical education in 1951. Mildred retired from Advance High School, where she had been the P.E., health teacher and volleyball coach. Mildred Wiggins coached volleyball in Advance for 21 years from 1970-1991. She led the Hornets to 20 winning seasons and two State Final Four appearances. Wiggins became a member of the Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013. She won 367 games in her 21-year coaching career. Advance High School dedicated the "Mildred Wiggins Court" in March 2015. She was a huge advocate of physical fitness, education and personal health.

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. Survivors include two sons, John (Debbie) Wiggins of Jackson and Tony (Margaret) Wiggins of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Tammy (David) Beck of Scott City and Cindy (Paul) Gilliland of Advance; seven grandchildren, Dr. Matthew Wiggins, Amanda Wiggins, Jon Beck, Andy Beck, Dr. Tori Landing, Curtis Gilliland and Madalyn Wiggins, and six great-grandchildren, Dale and Eli Wiggins, Blake, Caroline and Jack Landing, and Luke Wiggins.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, F.E. "Bud" Wiggins, and her siblings, Blanch, Milburn, Cecil, Cletus, Hillard and Harold Robertson and Marie Duke.

Family visitation will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the public visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the chapel with the Rev. Eric Shrum officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.

In lieu of flowers, please make all donations to the First Baptist Church of Advance.